Gloucester Fire Department Battles Building Fire on Two Penny Lane

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric L. Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department battled a large fire that destroyed a single family home late Saturday night.

Firefighters responded to 33 Two Penny Lane at 11:20 p.m. Saturday for a reported building fire. Heavy fire was visible on arrival. The large home appeared to be fully ablaze, with flames flames existing the structure in multiple directions. It was determined that no one was inside the home, and the decision was made to engage in defensive operations, fighting the fire from the outside.

The large home appeared to be fully ablaze, with flames flames existing the structure in multiple directions. It was determined that no one was inside the home, and the decision was made to engage in defensive operations, fighting the fire from the outside. (Gloucester Fire Department Photo)

The building, which appears to have been under construction or renovation, was deemed a total loss. (Gloucester Fire Department Photo)

The fire was so intense that it had also spread to the nearby grass and trees. The exterior attack was also used to prevent the fire from spreading and to minimize flying embers and debris.

Firefighters established a water supply using nearly a half-mile of hose line. A second alarm was struck to bring additional manpower to the scene, and mutual aid was provided by the Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport Fire Departments. The Beverly, Ipswich, and Hamilton Fire Departments provided station coverage to Gloucester during the incident.

No civilians were injured, but one firefighter sustained an injury when a piece of burning debris landed on his neck. The firefighter, who was deploying an attack hose line when the debris landed on him, continued to work to battle the flames. He was later evaluated at the scene but was not hospitalized.

The building is a total loss.

The home appears to have been under construction or renovation. A contractor’s trailer and a dumpster were found on site. The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the Gloucester Fire Department, the Gloucester Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office.